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Williams honored by statue placement

Williams honored by statue placement

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CHICAGO -- Billy Williams was honored when he heard the news that his statue would be placed on the corner of Addison and Sheffield streets near Wrigley Field.

"I said that's a nice gesture," the Hall of Fame outfielder said Wednesday about the Cubs' decision to put his bronze there and move the statue of broadcaster Harry Caray down the street to the corner of Sheffield and Waveland avenues.

The Caray statue was dedicated in April 1998, a few months after his death. The Cubs are finalizing details regarding a possible re-dedication ceremony for Caray's family, which would be held sometime during the next homestand that begins Aug. 30.

Caray often conducted his broadcasts from the sun-drenched bleachers, and now his likeness will be closer to them.

Williams' statue will be unveiled Sept. 7. The bronze was being sculpted by Lou Cella from the Rotblatt-Amrany Fine Art Studio, who also did Caray's statue as well as the Ernie Banks bronze at the corner of Clark and Addison streets, outside of Wrigley's main entrance.

"They said they wanted to split us up," Williams said of the statues of Banks and himself. "It's going to be a nice location -- you come off Addison and it's right off the 'L.'"

Williams has seen a prototype of the bronze, which, of course, will have him swinging.